a little steep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little steep" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is somewhat high in cost or difficult to accept, often in a financial context. Example: "The price of the concert tickets is a little steep for my budget this month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Ms. Buzzell declared the lunch plates, at $8.99, a little steep for the area.

The New York Times

The price - £50 - seemed a little steep, but it is worth every penny.

The Guardian - Books

$9.95 plus tax for 24-hour access does seem a little steep.

The Guardian

Together with the museum's admission — $25 for adults — the prices might seem a little steep, but, well, it's New York.

The New York Times - Arts

The total of £96.58, including a £29.95 bottle of Chablis, seems a little steep for Eastern European comfort food.

Independent

The bridge would not be an easy stroll since its pitch can be a little steep for amblers.

The New York Times

And the £80 fine for dropping cigarette butts is a little steep given the general lack of bins around.

The Guardian - Opinion

At $200, the cost for this nicely styled little camera is a little steep, but no one said instant gratification was cheap.

The New York Times - Tech

But dinner prices, with starters from $4 to $14 and entrees from $12 to $25, seem a little steep, even with a salad included.

The New York Times

The price is a little steep, especially as the apartment is situated four floors up with no lift, and the building looks pretty run down from the outside.

The Guardian - Travel

While the nightly rate might be a little steep, if you're looking for a long-term rental, Verde Camp offers big discounts on extended stays.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a little steep" to describe a price, consider adding context about why you feel that way. For example, "The price is "a little steep" considering the small portion size."

Common error

Avoid using "a little steep" to describe something that isn't related to a measurable quantity, such as cost or difficulty. Instead of saying "That joke was "a little steep", consider alternatives like "That joke was a bit harsh."

Linguistic Context

"A little steep" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to express that something is somewhat high or excessive. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it describes prices, costs, or levels of difficulty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Tech

20%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little steep" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express that something is somewhat expensive, difficult, or demanding. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s frequently used in news, tech, and travel contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral, avoid overusing it in formal writing, and be sure it describes a measurable quantity or quality. Some alternative are "a bit pricey", "somewhat overpriced", or "slightly excessive".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little pricey

Replaces "steep" with a synonym related to price.

a tad expensive

Uses "expensive" instead of implied cost.

somewhat overpriced

Focuses specifically on price being higher than reasonable.

rather high

Highlights the elevated level of something.

a shade too high

Uses "shade" as a measure of degree, implying a slight excess.

slightly excessive

Emphasizes the quantity or degree being a bit too much.

somewhat inflated

Implies an artificial increase in value or cost.

a bit much

A more general expression for something being slightly over the top.

somewhat demanding

Shifts the context to requiring more effort or resources.

slightly unreasonable

Suggests a lack of fairness or justification.

FAQs

What does "a little steep" mean?

The phrase "a little steep" typically means that something is slightly too expensive or demanding. It suggests that the price or effort required is higher than expected or desired.

What can I say instead of "a little steep"?

You can use alternatives like "a bit pricey", "somewhat overpriced", or "slightly excessive" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something is "a little steep"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that something, especially a price, is higher than what is considered reasonable or desirable. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Can "a little steep" be used for things other than prices?

While often used for prices, "a little steep" can also describe difficulty or effort required. For example, "The learning curve for this software is "a little steep"."